The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-05
snecial 70 the ST louis Repnhlican.

ing on their arms Tor the past ten days. A
conhagation is smouldering, and the
flames are liable to burst forth at any
time The national council meets at Tab.
lequah, next Monday, and everybody ex-
poets that civil war will then ensue. A
disputed election is the issue. AZ the
national election held three months ago
Joseph Bryant Mayes was the Downing
party candidate for principal chief, and
Rabbit Bunch was the candidate for the
same Office Of the National party. Bunch
has been assistant principal chief for the
past four years. He is half-brced, and
Maycs is white man with bare trace OF
Cherokee blood. The election resulted in
Mayes election by a majority Of l3l in a
total vote of less than 5000. In the cleo.
ton of Mayes the unexpected happened
Bunch was supported by the present
(Busbyhcad) administration; and the
Nationals felt certain that he would be
elected chief.
There are nine districts in the nation,
and according 10 law the sheriff of each
district forwards 10 the high sheriff at
Tahlcquah the election returns. About a
month ago tho returns were taken from
their depository TO a private house in
Tahlequah, and there, IL in claimed, doc
torcd, ~ that Bunch, instead Of being in
minority, came out li0 votes ahead OF
Mayes This announcement had the
same effect on the. Downing people that
Tack Chambers famous declaration that
Hayes was elected had ON the Democrats
Of the country in November, 1876. The
Brownngs cried fraud, the Nationals
whoopod for an honest ballot There is
mo legal machinery in the nation by which
the honesty Of the vote could be tested.
Tho Cherokee constitution and laws make
no provision for ballot-box stuiIing or u
disputed election.
The population 81 the Nation IL less than
5000 and the voting strength Is about
5000 The voters are divided about rs
follows Mixed blood, 1000; full blood,
1000 natumlized citizens, 1000; negroes,
300; Delawarcs and Shawnccs merged with
tho Cherokees, 800. Politically the popu-
laiion il very evenly divided, and in case
Of civil war, which now seems inevitable,
II will be ncighbor against neighbor,
brother against brother, son against
father. The olicials Of the Nation are also
divided politically. Five shcriis are
Downingitcs aud four Nationals.
g., TuE NATIONAL COUNCIL
will canvass the vote next Monday, and il
Bunch IL declared elected the Downing.
will Immediately appeal 10 arms according
10 present appearances. Tho national
council is made up of two houses, and has
siSiy.four members in joint session. The
vote for chief will have 10 be- cnnyasscd
In joint session. The Nationals have three
majority in the council on joint ballot 30
the povninps controlling the house and |
the Nationals the senate. Because Of the
National majority in the council the
Downings presume that Bunch will be-
counted in. The Nationals are really Re
mlblieans and the llownings Democrats
lhrty divisions are much the same IA In |
tho states, bni Chcrokecs pride iorbids the |
use Of the United ruies party names
Tho glaai iseue in the contest for chief IL
the lcnsinR II 0,O0o,0'O acres Of Cherokee |
lands 20 cattle syndicate. The Cherokee |
territory Is composed Of II 900. 900 acrs Of
land. or this 100000 have been leased
10 cattle syndicate al u rental Of $1,000
. year Tor u number Of years past The
lcase cNpircs this year, aud the great
Waffle u Tor iiH renewal. The National
party N In favor OF renewing the lease for
ten yearS at the same rental. the Down. |
ings advocate q lease Of the G,OOO, coo acre |
strip 10 the highest bidder. The Down. |
ings claim that II the leasing Of tho lands
II submitted TO competition, $500, 900 n
year tan bc easily obtained. II IL hardly
necssary 10 state that the cattle bnrons
who arr theproscnt lcs-ccs ui the B,OOOOOO
acrs arc In favor OF tho Inauguration uf
Bunch ~ principal chief. Bunch Ia an ig-
nornt hali-brccd, who can neither rrad
nor write, and who docs not understand u
word Of English. Mayos. tho Downing
candidate, is graduate Of the University
'oi Virginia, and has been chief justice II
the supreme court OF the Nation THERE'S
hardly doubt that Doodle IN playing
considerable part In the contest The
cattle syndicate can well afford a. spcnd
SlOO,OJO to get Bunch inauguniied
principal chief, and keep Maycs and the
Downlngs out Of power. II bunch sue.
eeedn to the chieiiaincy the renewal OF the
syndicate LEAFS OF bupOOOO acnca Of land
will almost certainly follow. II Mayos IA
inangunted u h almost certain that the
lease OF The land will be offered 10 the
highest bidder. The land IL leased by the
hnhncinl council with the advice and con.
Heni OF the chief Without the chiefs MI.
VICE and consent the lease cannot be made.
Hence u can be seen that the cattle barons
nrn anxious 10 keep MRyoa out.
II is no SCENT hcro that the money vi the
catue barons and the advice oi the land
hhafks NON Texas, Missouri aud Kansas
are nspon,lblc iur the entire now. There
- not Reasonable doubt that MaycH was
honestly elected. Tho land sharks how.
ever ulink that Il civil war can be PR.
opitsicd Il viii insult in
AboiiHiNo rnE SYSTEM
81 holding the lands IN common and force
allotment This would provide a rich
pasture iur land sharks, NJ the allotment
o. the lands would inevitably break np
tbe Cherokee nation On Il now exists, and
urUw The territory open lo settlement In
thh connection u might be stntcd that
uhcrv u no great reason why the territory
should not b. thrown Oppn Ia settlement
The Cherokee ~ q huuLur. purr and
simple. You would have Id rake The
Nation 20 find 500 luli.blood Cherokee.
Iho people arc az white M they are In
Missouri, Kansas, Texas or Arkansas. and
Just NJ Intelligent They have been dead.
beating on the general government Tor
ytars and there " no reason why they
should have privileges and immunitics
That are denied 10 tho people OF the
ncighboring States.
Bushyhcad, The present chief, II n pretty
sharp Customer lie has had bis hll oi the
honor and cmolumenis, and. II accounts
are true, would welcome d breaking up of
The prcsent Cherokee system. when he
icune fromthe chicftancy, ~ he will In q
lew days, be would like 10 open a land
agency. lie b ayancious and ambitious.
The opening Of the Territory 90 general
feitlomcnt would create opportunities for
him lilo lnnlln ...nt.lI L. -. IL. II -